Why the Catholic Church Canonizes a Person Only After Their Death

Theological Foundations

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1475), canonization is the process of recognizing a person as a saint in Heaven, a seal of approval on their entire life and a confirmation that they are in Heaven and available for intercession. While all members of the Church Militant (living members) are saints, the formal canonization process acknowledges a specific sanctity that overcomes the possibility of posthumous fall from grace.

Practical Considerations

The practical reasons for canonizing a person only after their death include:

Maintaining the Purity of the Faith

Canongization ensures that only those whose lives were exemplary and in line with Catholic teachings are officially recognized. This helps prevent embarrassment to the Church if a person were to go on and do something drastically unbecoming post-canonization. If a living person was canonized, their subsequent actions could involve scandal and critics might question their true saintliness.

Probabilty of Proof

The Church requires proof of a person's holiness, such as specific and verifiable miracles, before canonization. Posthumous saintly living aligns with this requirement as it provides a more stable and unchanging record of the person's life.

Exemplary Living

By canonizing individuals after their death, the Church emphasizes the importance of living a life in accordance with Christian virtues. This ensures that the person is established as a role model for the faithful, whose actions and experiences have been fully fleshed out and verified.

Examples and Implications

The practice of canonization after death is not without its implications. For instance, a living person can be referred to as "venerable" or "blessed" but not yet as a saint. This reflects the belief that holiness is a continuous process and requires divine intervention.

Conclusion

The Catholic Church's adherence to canonizing saints posthumously is a blend of theological, practical, and doctrinal necessities. It serves to maintain the purity and dignity of Catholic teaching, prevent scandals, and provide a consistent and verifiable foundation for saints in the Church's communion of saints.

For more information on the Catholic Church's teachings and practices, visit the official Vatican website.